New projects:We Can Do It! Skill Builder Sampler Quilt-Along
This QA features three blocks per month, each one selected to teach certain quilting skills. It’s a quilt class and a quilt-along, two for the price of one. Perfect for beginners or those who just want to brush up (click here for more info). Our first block was this basic log cabin.

I think I’ve already mastered the skills being taught here—accurate cutting and a 1/4″ seam. But would you believe I’ve never made a log cabin block like this? Nope. I’ve made plenty of wonky, drunk-love-style blocks (like this one, this one, and this one), but never a good old-fashioned l.c. And this is exactly why I wanted to do this quilt-along. I taught myself to quilt almost entirely by reading blogs. While it’s a fun and effective way to learn, I’m guessing I’ve missed things here and there. : ) Or maybe, just maybe, I’m doing a few things “wrong.” Since Leila’s quilt-along is as close as I’m likely to get to a basic quilting class, it seems like time well-spent.

Ongoing projects:Warm Cool Quilt-Along
266 HSTs, sewn, pressed, and trimmed. I’m now seeing HSTs in my sleep. The top is this close to being done, so stay tuned.

Farmer’s Wife Quilt-AlongClick here for this week’s blocks. I’m all caught up on this one.

Hi Lee, thanks for the opportunity to share my work with you and all your followers. Sometimes one needs an inspiration to keep on blogging! Especially when the cold winter hits hard and keeps one hunkered down! Looks like you manage to keep busy no matter what time of year.

Really? I had no idea you hadn't done a straight up LC before. My first real LC blocks were those blocks I made for the baby quilt I finished last week. I really like the fabrics you used. And 266 HSTs? Holy moly!!! I can totally understand why you're seeing HSTs in your sleep!!

Love your LC block Lee. I'm doing Skill Builder for the same reason, but I have been quilting a lot less time than you so I need a lot more instruction! Wow, 266 HST's! I don't think I had quite that many on my X quilt!

I haven't made a straight log cabin either. Lots of wonky ones though. Wow so many HST's. How do you find time to work on your sewing?Thanks too for the opportunity to share my work and to be able to see lots of inspiration on other blogs.

One of these days, when I truly retire I would love to try my hand at quilting again. When I made a few quilts I just sorta did it, by the seat of my pants, with no special or real quilt type stitches. I did do it by hand, and I did quilt the top and enjoyed it. But, with all the yarn projects, well…time is never enough.

I am also a self-taught sewist/quilter. When I decided I wanted to really get into quilting a little over a hear ago, I signed myself up for a quilting basics class. It was enjoyable and slightly informative, but the other participants were people who really should have been in the "sewing machine – driver's ed" class. They required a lot more hands-on assistance, while I just zoomed through the book and was the first(only) to finish my sampler quilt within the class… I'm glad I did it, though. I ended up buying a fancy new machine when it was over 🙂

Great to see your WIP's and everybody elses for that matter….I'm finishing up my McCall's Design Star 2011 Challenge #1 today and will be able to blog about it after Friday when the reveal is done on their website. I hope everybody will come out and vote! Check my blog for a voting link sometime during the weekend. http://kissedquilts.blogspot.com Thanks! My Profile on the McCall's site includes my quilt-along participation in Supernova.

Holy HSTs Batman! I can completely understand why you're seeing them in your sleep! Can't wait to see more of this…I am with you on learning to quilt via blogs…I took one class at Joann's but it was basic basic basic, Im looking at the FW QAL like a teaching tool too with more traditional piecing. Everythign looks great!!